These Whole-House Humidifiers Add Moisture to Your Entire Home With One Simple Device

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Dry winter air can cause more damage to your home than you might expect. If humidity levels are too low, problems like gaping floorboards, peeling wallpaper, and even warped furniture can arise due to moisture loss. Low humidity also creates more static, which can ruin electrical components over time.

That’s where a humidifier can help. While small units may be fine for your bedroom or living room, they won’t be powerful or effective enough to handle dry air concerns throughout your entire house. Luckily, whole-house humidifiers do just that.

There are standalone whole-house humidifiers, wheeled models you can transport from room to room, and furnace-mounted options that connect directly to an HVAC system. Along with type, selecting a model designed to meet your home’s square footage is essential.

Our buying guide covers the best whole-house humidifiers we recommend, plus tips on how to select the right unit for your needs.

If you’re concerned about the air quality in your home, check out our picks for the best air purifiers, best air conditioners, and best dehumidifiers.

The Best Whole House Humidifiers

• Best Overall Console: Aircare Space-Saver Evaporative Whole House Humidifier

• Best Overall Furnace-Mounted: AprilAire 500 Whole-House Humidifier

• Best for Homes Without Ductwork: AprilAire 865 Whole Home Steam Humidifier

• Best for Hard Water: Aircare Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

• Most Compact: Aircare Valiant Digital Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

What to Consider

First, check your home’s humidity levels—ideally, it sits around 30 to 50 percent—with an inexpensive digital hygrometer. Make sure to check various rooms, and leave the hygrometer in each space long enough to get an accurate reading. If your rooms have humidity levels lower than 30 percent, it’s time to think about investing in a whole-house humidifier.

Type

There are two main types of whole-house humidifiers: furnace-mounted and console. Furnace-mounted units, also called ducted humidifiers, use your home’s HVAC ductwork to disperse humidity throughout your home. If you have an older home without ductwork, you won’t be able to install this type of humidifier.

These models connect directly to your furnace, tapping into its electricity for their own power, and they also connect to your home’s water supply so they can automatically pull the liquid needed for operation. Because they have to be hooked up to both your furnace and water line, these models require professional installation—and you may void the warranty if you try to install the unit yourself.

There are also console or self-contained whole-house humidifiers, which are similar to regular single-room models. However, they’re bigger, more powerful, and have a larger water capacity, (typically between 3 and 6 gallons), so they can increase the humidity level across a larger area. These freestanding units are much easier to install—you just plug them into an electrical outlet—but they must be placed fairly centrally in your home for the best results.

Operation

All humidifiers add moisture to the air, but this can be achieved in different ways. The following are common types of humidifiers and how they work:

• Evaporative: Evaporative humidifiers contain a filter that’s saturated with water. A fan blows on the filter, pushing moisture into the air. These humidifiers require regular filter changes.

• Steam: Steam humidifiers work by heating up water to create steam. They increase humidity levels faster than evaporative units and kill off germs in the water, but they cost more to operate.

• Ultrasonic: Ultrasonic humidifiers have a metal diaphragm that vibrates at a high frequency, creating tiny water droplets that are propelled into the air. They’re quieter than fan-powered humidifiers but can create a fine, white dust that settles on surfaces around your home depending on the minerals in your water.

Coverage

The most important factor to consider when choosing a whole-house humidifier is the square footage of your home. Most models clearly state the maximum square footage that they can effectively humidify, and whole-house models can cover anywhere from 1,000 to 10,000 or more square feet. However, their efficiency may be lower if your home is poorly insulated, as the humidity will be able to escape through drafty areas.

Console humidifiers typically aren’t effective for homes with multiple floors, so a furnace-mounted unit is best in this situation. Alternatively, if you don’t have an HVAC system, you can use multiple smaller units on each level of your home.

Humidistat

A humidistat works similarly to your home’s thermostat—it monitors the humidity level, and when it senses low humidity, it signals to your whole-home humidifier that it needs to be turned on. Humidifiers with a built-in humidistat work autonomously, turning on and off as needed in response to the air’s moisture levels.

Without a humidistat, you’ll need to monitor the humidity levels in your home using a hygrometer and turn your humidifier on and off manually.

Maintenance

If you choose a self-contained console humidifier, its water tank needs to be refilled for continued operation—most can run for 50 to 80 hours per fill.Refilling a large water tank can be tricky, so you may want to place the humidifier close to a tap if possible. Most humidifiers also need filter replacements every six months, and it’s a good idea to check the cost of those filters to get an idea of ongoing maintenance costs before you buy.

In the case of ultrasonic humidifiers, there may also be the issue of white dust, which is caused by minerals in the water supply. The minerals in the humidifier’s water vapor can gather on surfaces around your home, creating a fine white powder. It’s not harmful, but it can make cleaning more of a chore.

No matter the size of the unit, it’s important to clean your humidifier as recommended by the manufacturer to prevent bacteria and mold from forming. Humidifiers create ideal conditions for bacteria and mold growth, and if they aren’t cleaned regularly, these particles can be spread into your house along with the moisture.

How We Selected

We found excellent whole-house humidifier options in both freestanding and furnace-mounted styles. With quality in mind, we chose products made by reputable brands that we’ve come to trust, like Honeywell and Aircare, and we prioritized models that are easy to operate, clean, and maintain. We selected models with built-in humidistats, and all of our picks are suitable for homes 2,000 square feet or more. We also cross-checked our choices with consumer reviews and top sellers to ensure that we didn’t miss any new models worth a look. Most of the whole-house humidifiers we recommend cost under $300, with freestanding units priced as low as $125.

Space-Saver Evaporative Whole House Humidifier

Unlike furnace-mounted options that require complex installation, this low-cost whole-house humidifier is designed to be placed on the floor and begins to work right away.

Plus, at just 14 pounds, it’s relatively easy to move around. Despite the low cost, this humidifier still offers an impressive amount of features, including a check-filter indicator and auto-shutoff for when your home reaches the desired humidity level.

A bright LED display makes it easy to set your preferred humidity level, and thanks to its 7-gallon water tank, this model can run for up to 70 hours before needing a refill.

500 Whole-House Humidifier

You can save yourself the hassle of manually refilling a humidifier’s water tank by investing in a furnace-mounted unit like this one. The AprilAire 500 hooks up to your home’s HVAC system and water line to automatically push moisture throughout the whole house. This particular model is equipped with two auto-adjust sensors for outdoor temperature and indoor humidity levels to keep your home comfortable.

Because this furnace-mounted humidifier is likely to be installed in your basement, it comes with a separate wall-mounted digital control panel for remote adjustments. The panel displays the humidity level, and it also has indicator lights that tell you when the humidifier is on, if the filter needs to be replaced, or if the unit needs service.

865 Whole Home Steam Humidifier

You can save yourself the hassle of manually refilling a humidifier’s water tank by investing in a furnace-mounted unit like this one. The AprilAire 500 hooks up to your home’s HVAC system and water line to automatically push moisture throughout the whole house. This particular model is equipped with two auto-adjust sensors for outdoor temperature and indoor humidity levels to keep your home comfortable.

Because this furnace-mounted humidifier is likely to be installed in your basement, it comes with a separate wall-mounted digital control panel for remote adjustments. The panel displays the humidity level, and it also has indicator lights that tell you when the humidifier is on, if the filter needs to be replaced, or if the unit needs service.

Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

This portable model from Aircare features four rolling casters, and combined with its light 13.5-pound weight, is easy to transport from room to room. If you don’t feel like moving it around much, or just want to place it on a table, you can remove these casters altogether.

The digital humidistat ensures that the unit constantly adjusts to your preferred humidity level, and the control panel is straightforward and easy to use. This humidifier is also equipped with a wicking filter and demineralization cartridge, which trap mineral deposits if your home has hard water. The 3.6-gallon water tank is somewhat small compared to the other models on our list, but if your priority is portability, it could be worth the added refilling time.

Digital Whole-House Pedestal-Style Evaporative Humidifier

This whole-house humidifier provides an impressive nine fan speeds, making it a great choice for those who prioritize maximum control and customization. The pedestal-style design is also well-suited for those who are short on floor space, thanks to its 18-inch square footprint. You can even use it as a side table if you like, and the decorative top can be switched out with any 12x12-inch tile if you want to customize the appearance to match your decor.

A bright green digital readout provides the current humidity level, as well as the desired level and selected fan speed. Its auto shutoff feature ensures that once the tank is out of water, the unit powers itself off.

Valiant Digital Whole-House Console-Style Evaporative Humidifier

If you’re looking for the portability and convenience of a standalone humidifier, with the coverage of a furnace-mounted option, this could be a great fit. It can handle homes up to 4,000 square feet, and the convenient water level indicator ensures that you won’t have to worry about unexpected refills. A digital humidistat also keeps it operating at the precise humidity you set.

The five-gallon capacity is high compared to other standalone units, and it can operate for up to 55 hours on a single fill. It comes in a faux wood finish if you want a design that blends in with your decor, but there’s also a more utilitarian brushed nickel finish available.

Superior 6000S Smart Evaporative Whole-House Humidifier

The Levoit Superior 6000S is one of the most high-tech whole-house humidifiers you can buy, syncing up to your smartphone for granular control, even using voice commands. The unit has a 6-gallon water tank that delivers up to 72 hours of continuous operation, and you don’t have to worry about putting hard water in it, as its upgraded filters and dry mode help prevent pesky white dust from forming.

This humidifier is easy to fill—simply roll the base over to the sink and hook up the included water-filling hose and funnel. We also appreciate that this unit collapses for off-season storage.

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